Manageable Film Audio Setup

[Mason Kibler]

[Brian Reynolds] “This why I’m saying shoot and produce a Mini Doco first perhaps with some borrowed gear to get your head around various work flows.”

I might have to do that. We have two table reads scheduled, so I’m going to have the camera operator record some “behind the scenes” as a practice run during the first, then do a few scenes with blocking in the second and record that as well. It’ll just be tough for me to really monitor since I’ll be at the table. I can always write a sketch for some of the actors to be in and call it an ice-breaker.

[Brian Reynolds]

I have never tried the Audix, The NTG3 / 416 are a similar sound and yes very reflective indoors, the Samson is a good low cost Hyper option, as I have said I own 6 of them and have shot many a TVCommercial with them in kitchens and bathrooms.

Here are some commercials done with the Samson CO2
https://www.mybudget.com.au/watch-our-tv-commercials/

I also own a NTG2 and hate it, ‘Cant polish a t**d’ comes to mind….. but are useful for a ‘disposable’ Fx mic on outside broadcasts.

‘Celebrating 40 years of Broadcasting Audio….
Started with Magnetic stripe and Sprocket holes to now Gigabytes and Touch Screen Mixing Consoles’……

[Ty Ford]

Hello Mason and a belated welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

Brian has given you some excellent information.

I will ad this. If you know what you’re doing, you can put audio into a Canon 5d Mkiii and have it sound OK.

Your Samson mics sensitivity and noise ratings (below) may prove hissier than you want.

-40 dBV/pa (10mv/pa) 200Ω
22 dB (A weighted IEC/DIN 651)

I have auditioned the Audix SCX-1 HC. It’s OK, but not as good as the best. Didn’t compare it to the Samson.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Mason Kibler]

Ty,

Thanks for the feedback on the Samson. I’m glad you brought up the specs, because that’s what drew me to the Audix in the first place. The sensitivity and noise on that seem really good (14 dB A-Weighted/80 S>N, 15 mv/PA–which is nearly identical to the MK41 capsule); and I’m guessing the biggest issue people have with it is the tone. That’s exactly the type of thing I’d love to have to deal with in post, over noise or having to clean up a low signal. I’ve decided to go with the Audix and if I can’t swing both the NTG2 and a nice softie on top of that, I’ll probably just get the best protection I can afford and try to shoot the Audix outside with lavs as backup. In my budget, I feel like picking up as little background as possible is what will deem it the least “amateur”. That’s the goal, anyway.

Thanks to both of you for the help.